Walking football helps with new knee

Bob has Active Age to thank as he looks to net huge goal after knee replacement

A retired football fanatic who couldn’t sleep in a bed for almost a year after a knee replacement has thanked a charity for getting him fighting fit again.

Great-grandad Bob Smith went under the knife in 2016, but struggled with pain and discomfort for ten months before signing up to Age UK North Tyneside’s Walking Football Skills group in North Shields, part of the charity’s Active Age Programme.

The charity runs and promotes a host of activities for older people across North Tyneside, including walk-in-water and walking football sessions at The Parks Sport Centre in North Shields.

Bob credits the charity with getting him back on track, to the extent that he has set himself the target of scoring his 1000^th goal since his return, by Christmas.

Bob, 73, has scored 860 goals since lacing up his boots in October 2017, and set himself his 1000-goal target to coincide with National Fitness Day on Wednesday 25^th September.

He said: “I have always been a fit guy but when I had my knee replaced it put a stop to everything.

“I just couldn’t get my leg comfortable. I couldn’t sleep in a bed for 10 months – I had to sleep on a couch to get it in a certain position.

“I said to myself ‘I’ve got to get out’. I heard about Walking Football and thought I could have a go at it, and I am so glad I did.

“My confidence shot up – I got a goal in my first game and that was it. I can’t tell you how good it has been for my mental health and spirit.

“I want to thank Age UK North Tyneside for running the programme and this fantastic group. It has been life-changing for me, as well as the people I play with.”

On his mammoth goal tally, former youth and community worker Bob added: “I scored 300 goals in my first 12 months, and now I am up to 860!

“I want to reach 1000 goals by Christmas, that will show that if I can do it, anyone can do it!”

The charity’s Active Age programme is funded by Sport England and supports people aged 55+ who may need support and motivation to get physically active again.

Active Age Co-ordinator Caitlin Calvert said: “Groups like this one are so important. They are helping people get active which ultimately can massively benefit their mental and physical health.

“There are some people who are far more capable than they think, but they are afraid to give something a try.

“Our programme is all about building up that confidence so that people can move on to where they need to be, and Bob is a perfect example of Active Age being successful.”

Other ‘active’ groups run by Age UK North Tyneside include Tai Chi, line dancing, seated exercise, gentle circuits and yoga.

To find out more about Active Age, or more about Age UK North Tyneside and the services it offers, click on the links below or call 0191 287 7027.